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Katie Hansberry grew up spending her summers in Maine at Chop Point Camp in Woolwich. Hansberry attended Bowdoin and earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics and Environmental Studies. Hansberry told Stevoe that she was inspired by her Nana who attended law school in the 1930’s and so she went on to Boston College Law School for her Juris Doctor degree in 2002. Hansberry then attended Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University for her Masters of Science degree in in Animals and Public Policy.

Steve Woods (left), host of TideSmart Talk with Stevoe was joined in the studio by Maine State Director of The Humane Society of the United States Katie Hansberry (right).

While a student at Boston College of Law School, Hansberry was active in the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. She later worked to promote and expand the Animal Law Practice Group of the Massachusetts Bar Association by serving as the program and meeting coordinator.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) was formed in 1954 and is the nation’s largest animal protection organization. The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. They rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but their primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. They are “there for all animals, across America and around the world.”

After attending several of The HSUS’s Taking Action for Animals conferences, Hansberry determined to focus her passion for animal welfare into a career.

Hansberry has also volunteered with the Coastal Humane Society, the Volunteer Lawyers Project, and the Nature Conservancy. Hansberry currently resides in Portland with her adopted cat Goody and her rescued Corgi, Scully.

Stevoe and Hansberry discussed the Maine Fair Bear Hunting Act and her role as Campaign Director. She told Stevoe the three inhumane methods that are currently legal to use while hunting Maine Black Bear, and that the coalition is not trying to prohibit the hunt, that they are advocating for “fair chase” bear hunting.